German word

bitten

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbɪtən/

Meaning

  • verbask

Example

Ich bitte dich um Hilfe.

I ask you for help.

Illustration for bitten (ask)

More examples

Er bittet seinen Nachbarn, langsam zu sprechen.

He asks his neighbor to speak slowly.

Core concept

A person with an open hand and an expectant expression, seeking help from someone nearby.

Common phrases

  • um Erlaubnis bitten

    ask for permission

  • um einen Gefallen bitten

    ask for a favor

  • jemanden bitten, langsam zu sprechen

    ask someone to speak slowly

Similar words

fragen: Seek information or an answer by asking someone a question.

Definition in German

Jemanden höflich um Rat, Auskunft oder Unterstützung fragen

Word origin

Bitten descends from Old High German bittan and Proto-Germanic *bidjaną, related to older English bid in the sense of asking.

Usage tips

  • The pattern is jemanden um etwas bitten, with the person in the accusative and the requested thing after um in the accusative.

Other meanings

  • begverb

Related words

  • Bitterequestnoun

Word lists with this word